Filtered protective mask for a helmet

ABSTRACT

A protective face mask has a face shield arranged to fully span a face area of the user while being secured relative to a protective helmet worn by the user. The face mask has a central viewing portion formed of a transparent material that is rigid so as to resist deformation when impacted. One or more breathing openings are formed in the face shield so as to be arranged to receive breathing air when inhaling and/or exhaling. A control structure is supported on the face shield in operative association with each breathing opening in non-interference with the central viewing portion of the face shield in which the control structure is one of (i) a filter member spanning across the breathing opening, or (ii) a valve member operable between open and closed positions so as to only allow flow through the breathing opening in one direction.

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.119(e) of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 63/042,104, filed Jun. 22, 2020.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a protective mask for a helmet, for example a face shield for a sports helmet such as a hockey helmet, including breathing openings with filters and/or one-way valves associated therewith to filter and/or direct the breathing air into and out of the face shield, for protecting the face area from impacts while also protecting the wearer from direct inhalation of airborne droplets originating from adjacent persons.

BACKGROUND

Helmets in general are typically designed to protect the cranium of a user and thus are often provided with minimal or no structure in the region of the face of the user.

Although sports helmets are commonly provided with a visor or cage spanning over part of the face area to protect a face of the wearer from impacts, such face coverings tend to be designed so as not to inhibit breathing of the wearer and are thus purposely left open in the mouth area. Various pollutants can thus be easily breathed in by participants in a sporting environment wearing such helmets, for example airborne droplets that may carry pathogens. It is desirable to provide a face covering for a sports helmet that provides impact protection and protection from pollutants and/or pathogens in the air while maintaining a high degree of breathability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a protective face mask for use with a helmet worn by a user, the protective face mask comprising:

-   -   a face shield arranged to fully span a face area of the user in         which at least a central viewing portion of the shield is formed         of a transparent material, the shield being rigid so as to         resist deformation when impacted;     -   a mounting arrangement arranged to secure the shield relative to         the helmet such that the face shield spans the face area of the         user when the helmet is worn by the user;     -   at least one breathing opening formed in the face shield so as         to be arranged to receive breathing air therethrough; and     -   a control structure supported on the face shield so as to be         operatively associated with said at least one breathing opening         in non-interference with the central viewing portion of the face         shield, the control structure comprising one of:         -   (i) a filter member spanning across the breathing opening;             or         -   (ii) a valve member operable between open and closed             positions so as to only allow flow through the breathing             opening in one direction.

The one or more breathing openings can include an inhalation opening in which the control structure comprises the filter member spanning across the inhalation opening. The filter member is preferably removably supported relative to the inhalation opening, for example using snap fit connectors arranged to releasably support the filter member relative to the inhalation opening. In the illustrated embodiment, the inhalation opening is adjacent a top of the face shield.

The one or more breathing openings can also include an exhalation opening in which the control structure comprises the valve member operable to only allow outward flow through the exhalation opening to an exterior of the face shield. Preferably the exhalation opening is located adjacent a bottom of the face shield. The exhalation opening may include a rigid external frame supported externally of the valve member so as to protect the valve member from external impacts.

The mask preferably includes a resilient gasket member supported about a portion of a perimeter of the face shield so as to be arranged to form a seal between the face shield and a portion of the face area of the user. The resilient gasket member may be supported continuously along a bottom edge and along both opposing sides edges of the face shield so as to be arranged to form a seal between the face shield and a full jaw of the user. The resilient gasket member may comprise a foam material.

The mask may further include a hydration opening formed in the face shield so as to be arranged for alignment with a mouth area of the user, and a hydration valve member operatively connected to the face shield for movement relative to the hydration opening between open and closed positions in which the hydration valve member is biased to the closed position. The hydration valve member comprises one or more panels of resilient material which flex between the open and closed positions. The hydration valve member may be movable against biasing towards the open position under force of a stream of liquid directed into the face shield through the hydration opening.

The mounting arrangement may include a hinge structure at a top of the face shield in which the hinge structure is arranged to support the face shield on the helmet for pivotal movement between a closed position in which the face shield fully spans the face area of the user and an open position allowing removal of the helmet from the user.

The mounting arrangement may further include a pair of strap assemblies supported at laterally opposing sides of the face shield, in which each strap assembly comprises (i) a lower attachment secured to the face shield adjacent a bottom end thereof, (ii) an upper attachment secured to the face shield at a location spaced above the lower attachment, and (iii) a rear attachment arranged to be releasably attached to the helmet at a location spaced rearwardly of the face shield.

Preferably the breathing openings include both (i) one or more inhalation openings in which the control structure comprises the filter member spanning across the inhalation opening and (ii) one or more exhalation openings in which the control structure comprises the valve member operable to only allow outward flow through the exhalation opening to an exterior of the face shield, the inhalation and exhalation openings comprising the only openings in the face shield.

Preferably an entirety of the face shield is formed of said transparent material such that the control structure of said at least one breathing opening is supported by the transparent material.

The mask may by used in combination with a sports helmet comprising a brow portion covering a forehead of the user and side portions covering temporal areas of the user, in which the mounting arrangement joins the face shield to the brow portion and the side portions of the helmet in a mounted position.

The filter members are preferably snap-in replaceable filters with water-proof abilities designed to limit and reduce the exposure to Viruses and pollutants.

Preferably the foam seal is provided around the entire inside of the helmet that provides a full seal around the face with an integrated chin support/protection with antimicrobial features.

The hydration valve member may be a pliable rubber/latex or comparable Hydration Inlet formed in the face shield, for example a pinch valve allowing the wearer to drink water/liquids without cross contamination of bodily fluids or removing helmet/protective equipment.

The entirety of face shield is preferably a full high-impact, clear poly-carbonate or comparable shield with protective abilities for use during sporting activities with optional features including but not limited to, anti-scratch, anti-glare, anti-fog and tinting in a variety of tints.

The exhalation valves preferably include high-impact poly-carbonate covers integrated into shield with serviceability.

The straps of the mounting arrangement may be adjustable Y-straps to ensure even pressure and fit around the face and provide a virtual air tight fit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a left side elevational view of the protective mask according to the present invention shown supported on a sports helmet, in which the opposing right side elevational view is substantially identical to the left side elevational view shown;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the protective mask;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the protective mask;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view along the line 4-4 in FIG. 2 showing one of the inhalation openings;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view along the line 5-5 in FIG. 1 showing one of the exhalation openings;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view along the line 6-6 in FIG. 2 showing the hydration opening shown in a closed position; and

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the hydration opening according to FIG. 6 shown in an open position.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the accompanying figures, there is illustrated a protective face mask generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The protective mask is particularly suited for use with a helmet 12 that protects the wearer from impacts, for example a sport helmet that protects the wearer from impacts while playing a sport.

In the illustrated embodiment, the helmet 12 is a hockey helmet. In this instance the helmet 12 comprises a rigid outer shell 14 formed of impact resistant material with a shock absorbing liner (not shown) which lines the interior of the outer shell. The helmet substantially fully covers the head with the exception of a face opening for alignment with a face area of the user.

According to the illustrated embodiment of a hockey helmet, the rigid outer shell includes (i) a top portion covering a top of the user, (ii) a brow portion extending downward from the front of the top portion so as to cover a forehead of the user, (iii) a rear portion extending downwardly from the rear of the top portion so as to cover the occipital bone area at the rear of the skull of the user, and (iv) two side portions extending downwardly from opposing sides of the top portion and connected between the brow portion and the rear portion so as to span a majority of the temporal bones of the skull of the user respectively.

Fastener mounts 16 are provided at laterally spaced apart positions on the brow portion of the helmet in proximity to an upper edge of the face opening and at laterally opposing side portions of the shell, adjacent the rear thereof in which the fastener mounts 16 serve to support a protective cage or visor on the sports helmet. The protective mask 10 according to the present invention is intended to replace a conventional protective cage or visor so as to provide impact protection to the face area of the user while additionally controlling the flow of breathing air to the wearer to protect the wearer from inhaling airborne pollutants, pathogens, and the like.

The protective face mask 10 includes a face shield 20 formed of a clear, rigid material arranged to fully span the face area of the user. For example, the face shield may be formed of a transparent polycarbonate material which provides the rigid structure and impact protection of the face mask by resisting deformation when impacted. The face shield 20 is arranged to mate with the sports helmet 12 to fully span the face opening of the sports helmet and collectively with the helmet provides complete impact protection coverage about the entirety of the head of the user.

In a mounted position on the helmet, a top end 22 of the face shield 20 is mounted onto the top edge of the face opening such that the face shield overlaps the front surface of the helmet at the top edge thereof at the forehead of the user. The face shield 20 is also joined the helmet along laterally opposing side edges 24 so as to overlap the exterior side surfaces of the helmet at the laterally opposing sides of the face shield. A bottom end 26 of the face shield extends below the bottom end of the sports helmet 12 to fully cover the jaw area of the user, including under the chin. The face shield 20 also spans laterally across the face of the user between opposing side edges that overlap corresponding side portions of the helmet.

The face shield 20 includes a central viewing portion 28 which is generally shaped to be curved about an upright axis between laterally opposing sides of the face shield while spanning a majority of a height of the face shield by extending downward from the top end 22 thereof. The central viewing portion is thus shaped to form part of the surface of a cylinder, while being smooth, continuous and uninterrupted along the height and width thereof to provide high visibility therethrough for the wearer.

The face shield also includes a top wall 30 extending generally rearward from the top edge of the central viewing portion 28 to abut the front surface of the helmet along the top edge of the face opening in the helmet at the rear edge of the top wall 30. The top wall 30 serves to support the central viewing portion 28 spaced forwardly and outwardly from the boundary of the sports helmet 12.

A hinge structure is provided at the top end of the face shield in the form of two pivot shafts 32 situated at laterally spaced apart positions along the rear edge of the top wall 30. A pair of hinge brackets 34 extend about the pivot shafts 32 respectively and align with the pair of fastener mounts 16 that are spaced apart across the brow of the sports helmet immediately above the face opening thereof. The brackets 34 allow the face shield 20 to be supported for pivotal movement about a laterally oriented axis between a closed position fully spanning the face opening in the helmet to fully cover the face including the jaw and under the chin area, and an open position in which the face opening of the helmet is substantially unobstructed by the face shield such that the face shield does not interfere with removal of the helmet from the wearer.

The face shield 20 includes two side portions 36 extending rearward from laterally opposing sides of the central viewing portion 28 for overlapping over corresponding side surfaces of the helmet 12 respectively. The rear edges of the side portions 36 are shaped to approximately follow the profile of the sports helmet at laterally opposing sides thereof. The side portions 36 are laterally spaced apart from one another so as to overlap opposing side surfaces of the helmet in the closed position while maintaining a small gap in the lateral direction between each side portion and the side surface of the helmet which it overlaps. A pair of stops 38 are typically fixed onto the opposing sides of the helmet respectively forming respective hooks which are open downwardly such that upper edges of the two side portion 36 are inserted upwardly into the hooks of the two stops 38 respectively as the face shield 20 is pivoted into the closed position. The stops 38 function to prevent further inward pivoting movement of the face shield beyond the closed position.

To assist in securing the face shield in the closed position, a pair of strap assemblies 40 are provided at the opposing sides of the helmet respectively. Each strap assembly is a generally Y-shaped member including an upper attachment 42 and a lower attachment 44 spaced apart from one another at a forward end of the strap assembly, and a rear attachment 46 at the rear of the strap assembly. The lower attachment 44 of each strap assembly is coupled to the corresponding one of the side portions 36 of the face shield adjacent the bottom end thereof, while the upper attachment 42 of the strap assembly is coupled to the corresponding side portion 36 of the face shield at a location spaced above the lower attachment.

The rear attachment includes a strap fastener 48 formed thereon which is arranged to mate with a corresponding fastener fixed onto the side of the helmet for selective mating connection with the strap fastener 48 in a releasable manner. When the strap assemblies are released, the face shield can be freely pivoted into the open position; however, when closing the face shield, each strap assembly 40 is tensioned between the two forward attachments 42 and 44 and the rear attachment 46 and the strap fasteners 48 are fixed onto the corresponding fasteners on the helmet to retain the face shield in the closed position.

A gasket member 50 formed of a high density foam extends about at least the lower perimeter of the face shield including the bottom edge and both side edges 24 as a continuous strip. The foam material can be resiliently compressed as the strap assemblies 40 are tensioned while closing the face shield. More particularly, the gasket member 50 along both side edges 24 of the face shield may be compressed within the corresponding gap between each side portion 36 of the face shield and the corresponding side surfaces of the helmet, or between the side portion 36 of the shield and the sides of the face of the user.

Along the lower jaw and chin area, the gasket is resiliently compressed between the perimeter of the face shield and the face of the user to form an airtight seal between the face shield and the face area of the user. The gasket member 50 may be enlarged in thickness at the chin area with a concave chin cup formed at the inner surface thereof to specifically receive the chin of the user therein in the closed position of the face shield to provide a secure seal of the face shield relative to the chin and jaw line of the user.

An additional section of the gasket 50 may be provided adjacent to the top end of the face shield for direct sealing of the face shield against the forehead of the user; however, in preferred embodiments the face shield is instead closely fitted to the helmet in the closed position, with the gasket sealed between the top edge of the face shield 20 and a corresponding surface of the helmet. In this instance, the shock absorbing liner of the sports helmet is relied upon to form a resilient seal between the shell of the helmet and the user about the upper perimeter of the face shield.

The face shield 20 further includes a plurality of breathing openings formed therein including a plurality of inhalation openings 52 and a plurality of exhalation opening 54. A suitable control structure is associated with each breathing opening for controlling some aspect of the airflow through the opening for example by a filter arrangement in the instance of an inhalation opening or a one way valve arrangement in the instance of an exhalation opening as described in further detail below.

In the illustrated embodiment, two inhalation openings 52 are provided at laterally spaced apart positions in the top wall 30 of the face shield and two additional inhalation openings 52 are provided in the two side portions 36 of the face shield respectively in closer proximity to the top end than the bottom end of the face shield. The inhalation openings 52 in the top wall 30 are elongate in the lateral direction while being supported in a forwardly protruding surface of the face shield. The inhalation opening 52 in the side portion 36 of the shield are smaller in size than the openings in the top wall 30 and are more upright in orientation.

Each inhalation opening 52 includes a filter member 56 releasably supported therein so as to require any airflow into the face shield through the inhalation opening to pass through filtration medium 58 of the filter member.

Each filter member 56 comprises a perimeter frame 60 having a peripheral flange 62 which overlaps an exterior surface of the helmet about the full perimeter of the inhalation opening. One or more snap connectors 64 are formed at spaced apart positions about the perimeter frame 60 in which the snap connector comprises a hook extending inwardly into the helmet through the inhalation opening with a catch formed thereon which is engaged with an interior surface of the helmet shell to selectively retain the filter mounted within the respective opening. The snap connectors 64 can be resiliently released to unhook the catches from corresponding surfaces about the perimeter of the respective opening in the helmet to release the filter member 56 for replacement as desired.

The filtration medium 58 fully spans across a central opening in the perimeter frame 60 of the filter member. The filtration medium 58 is arranged to trap small particles therein including airborne droplets and pathogens. In some embodiments the filtration medium may comprise a hydrophobic material or other suitable structure such that the filtration medium is substantially waterproof while allowing air flow therethrough. An inhalation flow of air into the hollow interior of the face shield occurs when the user breathes inwardly to cause a pressure drop within the interior of the face shield. The filter members are replaced as required to maintain suitable airflow through the inhalation openings as the filters collect filtered particles thereon.

The face shield includes two exhalation openings 54 formed therein at laterally spaced apart positions adjacent the bottom end thereof. Each exhalation opening 54 supports a valve member 66 thereon in the form of a flexible resilient sheet sized to overlap the exterior of the shell about the full circumference of the perimeter edge of the exhalation opening. The valve member 66 is mounted at a central location on an external frame 68 such that the peripheral portion of the valve member is free to flex outwardly to allow a flow of air to be exhausted therethrough externally of the face shield. The mounting of the valve member 66 may allow the valve member to be interchanged and replaced for servicing if required. The valve member is biased to a closed position against the exterior surface of the helmet about the perimeter of the exhalation opening such that an inward flow of air through the exhalation opening is prevented by the valve member 66.

The external frame 68 comprises a plurality of rigid crossbars extending diametrically across the exhalation opening at a location which is raised outwardly relative to the surrounding outer surface of the face shield. The crossbars forming the external frame 68 are moulded integrally and seamlessly of the same material together with the remainder of the face shield 20. The external frame is raised outwardly relative to the valve member in the closed position so as not to interfere with outward flexing of the periphery of the valve member towards the open position thereof while protecting the valve member from external impacts.

The face shield 20 further includes a hydration opening 70 formed therein at a laterally central location adjacent the bottom end of the face shield for alignment with a mouth of the user in the closed position of the face shield. The hydration opening further includes a control structure in the form of a hydration valve member 72 spanning across the hydration opening in a normally closed position of the valve member.

The valve member 72 comprises a panel of resilient material formed in plural sections which extend radially inwardly from a perimeter of the hydration opening to abut one another at a central location in the closed position. The sections of the valve member have sufficient length to curve slightly rearwardly as they extend inwardly towards a central apex protruding into the interior of the face shield 20. The resilient material is shaped to bias the sections of the valve member into engagement with one another in the closed position.

The valve member 72 is arranged such that an inward pressure on the valve member 72 resulting from a jet of liquid, for example an incoming jet of liquid sprayed from the nozzle 74 of a water bottle, can overcome the biasing of the valve member 72 to open the valve member 72. In this manner the pressure of the liquid flexes the sections of the valve member 72 radially outward and apart from one another so that the resulting central opening between the sections of the valve member allows passage of some of the liquid inwardly into the mouth of the wearer of the face shield.

In other instances, when each player includes their own dedicated water bottle, the suction tube or spray nozzle of the water bottle can be directly inserted through the valve member 72 to force the valve member to open by direct contact with the water bottle to allow access of hydration fluid to the wearer of the face shield. In the absence of any pressure on the valve member 72, the valve member will return to the closed position.

Exhalation pressure within the face mask as a result of the user exhaling readily overcomes the biasing of the valve members 66 of the exhalation openings to open the valve members 66 and allow external flow therethrough, without overcoming the biasing of the hydration valve member 72 which remains closed.

In use, the protective face mask 10 is mounted in place of a conventional visor or cage of a sports helmet, for example using a hinge arrangement so that the face shield 20 can be pivoted between open and closed positions similarly to the full face cage of a hockey helmet for example. Once the face shield has been pivoted into the closed position, the strap assemblies 40 are secured under tension to the opposing sides of the helmet such that the gasket 50 compresses in sealing relationship between the face shield 20 and the face of the user along the lower perimeter of the face shield, as well as the gasket 50 being further compressed in sealing relationship between the face shield and either one of the face of the user or the perimeter of the face opening of the helmet along the upper perimeter of the face shield.

As the wearer breathes inwardly while wearing the face shield 20, air is drawn into the interior of the face shield for breathing by the user through the inhalation openings adjacent the top end of the face shield 20, while exhalation of the user generates a downward flow of air that is sufficient to overcome the biasing of the valve members 66 to open the valve members and allow exhalation downwardly and outwardly in proximity to the bottom end of the face shield.

The resulting flow of air through the interior of the face shield is generally downwardly across the inner surface of the central viewing portion from the inhalation openings at the top to the mouth of the user and the exhalation ports at the bottom of the face shield. The downward airflow across the inner surface of the central viewing portion assists in minimizing condensation formation on the central viewing portion to maintain visibility through the face shield.

In further embodiments, the face shield can be mounted on a variety of helmet types other than sports helmets. In each instance, the face shield 20 substantially fully spans the face area of the user so as to include a top end 22 arranged to be mounted to the brow portion of the helmet 12 in proximity to the forehead of the user and a bottom end terminating preferably below a chin of the user to cover the jaw of the user while enabling the user to open and close their mouths without interference by the face shield. The face shield 20 would include a central viewing portion 28 extending laterally between two side portions 36 that extend rearward for overlapping part of the temporal bones of the user. Inhalation openings 52 and exhalation openings 54 would again be configured as described above using filter arrangements and/or one-way valve arrangements; however, the inhalation openings 52 and exhalation openings 54 can be placed at any desired location within the face shield that does not interfere with the central viewing area in front of the eyes of the user and that is not interfered with by the configuration of the helmet.

If the helmet includes side portions overlapping the temporal bones of the user, then the side portions 36 of the face shield preferably overlap or otherwise abut the side portions of the helmet as described in relation to the sports helmet of the illustrated embodiment; however, in other instances particularly where the helmet does not include side portions, the side portions 36 of the face shield 20 may form a seal directly against face of the user using the gasket member 50 described above.

Along the top of the face shield 20, the gasket member 50 can also provide a seal directly against the face of the user, or rely on sealing against the helmet if the helmet includes a resilient liner that can in turn form a suitable seal against the face of the user similarly to the arrangement of the sports helmet described above.

In instances where the helmet 12 is adequately secured in position relative to the head of the user, securement of the face shield 20 to the helmet may be sufficient to ensure that the face shield 20 is adequately secured and properly positioned relative to the face of the user. In other instances where the helmet 12 is not fully secured in position relative to the head of the user, the face shield 20 may be further provided with additional straps extending about the rear of the head of the user between the side portions of the face shield to securely position the face shield relative to the face of the user.

Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense. 

1. A protective face mask for use with a helmet worn by a user, the protective face mask comprising: a face shield arranged to fully span a face area of the user in which at least a central viewing portion of the shield is formed of a transparent material, the shield being rigid so as to resist deformation when impacted; a mounting arrangement arranged to secure the shield relative to the helmet such that the face shield spans the face area of the user when the helmet is worn by the user; at least one breathing opening formed in the face shield so as to be arranged to receive breathing air therethrough; and a control structure supported on the face shield so as to be operatively associated with said at least one breathing opening in non-interference with the central viewing portion of the face shield, the control structure comprising one of: (i) a filter member spanning across the breathing opening; or (ii) a valve member operable between open and closed positions so as to only allow flow through the breathing opening in one direction.
 2. The mask according to claim 1 wherein said at least one breathing opening includes an inhalation opening in which the control structure comprises the filter member spanning across the inhalation opening.
 3. The mask according to claim 2 wherein the filter member is removably supported relative to the inhalation opening.
 4. The mask according to claim 3 wherein the filter member includes snap fit connectors arranged to releasably support the filter member relative to the inhalation opening.
 5. The mask according to claim 2 wherein the inhalation opening is adjacent a top of the face shield.
 6. The mask according to claim 1 wherein said at least one breathing opening includes an exhalation opening in which the control structure comprises the valve member operable to only allow outward flow through the exhalation opening to an exterior of the face shield.
 7. The mask according to claim 6 wherein the exhalation opening is located adjacent a bottom of the face shield.
 8. The mask according to claim 6 wherein the exhalation opening includes a rigid external frame supported externally of the valve member so as to protect the valve member from external impacts.
 9. The mask according to claim 1 further comprising a resilient gasket member supported about a portion of a perimeter of the face shield so as to be arranged to form a seal between the face shield and a portion of the face area of the user.
 10. The mask according to claim 9 wherein the resilient gasket member is supported continuously along a bottom edge and along both opposing sides edges of the face shield so as to be arranged to form a seal between the face shield and a full jaw of the user.
 11. The mask according to claim 9 wherein the resilient gasket member comprises a foam material.
 12. The mask according to claim 1 wherein further comprising a hydration opening formed in the face shield so as to be arranged for alignment with a mouth area of the user, and a hydration valve member operatively connected to the face shield for movement relative to the hydration opening between open and closed positions, the hydration valve member being biased to the closed position.
 13. The mask according to claim 12 wherein the hydration valve member comprises one or more panels of resilient material which flex between the open and closed positions.
 14. The mask according to claim 12 wherein the hydration valve member is movable against biasing towards the open position under force of a stream of liquid directed into the face shield through the hydration opening.
 15. The mask according to claim 1 wherein the mounting arrangement includes a hinge structure at a top of the face shield, the hinge structure being arranged to support the face shield on the helmet for pivotal movement between a closed position in which the face shield fully spans the face area of the user and an open position allowing removal of the helmet from the user.
 16. The mask according to claim 1 wherein the mounting arrangement includes a pair of strap assemblies supported at laterally opposing sides of the face shield, each strap assembly comprising (i) a lower attachment secured to the face shield adjacent a bottom end thereof, (ii) an upper attachment secured to the face shield at a location spaced above the lower attachment, and (iii) a rear attachment arranged to be releasably attached to the helmet at a location spaced rearwardly of the face shield.
 17. The mask according to claim 1 wherein said at least one breathing opening includes (i) one or more inhalation openings in which the control structure comprises the filter member spanning across the inhalation opening and (ii) one or more exhalation openings in which the control structure comprises the valve member operable to only allow outward flow through the exhalation opening to an exterior of the face shield, the inhalation and exhalation openings comprising the only openings in the face shield.
 18. The mask according to claim 1 wherein an entirety of the face shield is formed of the transparent material such that the control structure of said at least one breathing opening is supported by the transparent material.
 19. The mask according to claim 1 in combination with the helmet, the helmet comprising a sports helmet having a brow portion covering a forehead of the user and side portions covering temporal areas of the user, the mounting arrangement joining the face shield to the brow portion and the side portions of the helmet in a mounted position. 